A wedding is not just a ritual or the announcement of a new beginning. It is a moment that witnesses a million promises between two souls, nurtured by the prettiest visions of being happy together – forever.
Asopalav bride Ishita Gupta, an artist by choice and an architect by profession, shares the magical journey of first impressions and lasting memories with her husband, Praful. Here’s a beautiful narration that’s captivating in every detail – coming straight from the bride’s heart!
I am Mrs. Ishita Praful
Prafull and I married on 2nd December 2022, in a traditional wedding arranged impeccably at The Mabel in Kota, Rajasthan. While this official ceremony has been the most important highlight of my life so far, I cannot help but rewind my thoughts a little into the past and cherish every moment that has brought us to this joyous union.
Oh, it’s Him!
I always believed in the divinity of soul connections and knew that on one fine day, my other half will be standing before me. Yet, when I met Praful for the first time, the vibe we shared gave me butterflies in my stomach. It was a group outing with family and friends; I still recollect his smile and positive energy. I felt drawn to his intellect and calm personality. Perhaps, he found solace in my bubbly nature. As they say- opposites attract!
Our families brought us together, but I wouldn’t call this alliance a typical arranged marriage. It was a family-endorsed connection that saw us melting our hearts and vibes in perfect harmony and a bond growing strong enough to be the decision of a lifetime.
And One Day...
He went down on one knee- and opened – a Samsung Flip Phone! I was shocked and surprised- surrounded by over a hundred baffled faces of well-wishers attending our grand ring ceremony. Our wedding was scheduled just two days later- so going by traditions – we expected a gorgeous ring, after all, diamonds are supposed to be a girl’s best friend, isn’t it?
Nonetheless, this was as hilarious as heart-touching – for he gave me the phone I had planned to buy. Getting a much-awaited thing two days before your nuptial event can be quite a soother to all the pre-wedding nervousness. And as the cherry on top, I later got a beautiful ring too!
The Arrangements, Wedding Outfits & More….
Our families took their excitement to the next level once we chose to walk the path together, and the journey from ‘saying yes’ to tying the knot was a happy roller coaster. My imagination ran wild, with all the visions of a perfect wedding my grey cells had stored over the years. Thankfully, Praful wasn’t much into the wedding arrangement details, so I had all the liberty to arrange the big event my way! Joining my support entourage were our two families, who made the wedding planning seamless. While most details to set the wedding mood were taken up by my cousins and the wedding planner to coordinate, one big decision rested with me- The Bridal Wardrobe.
Being a Bride
While red sarees and red lehengas hold their place as a perpetual bridal wear trend, I always wanted to be different. My idea of a perfect bridal outfit has always been – a blue lehenga with sparkles, like the Indian version of Cinderella’s ball gown. So, of course, I had a headstart in my bridal garment selection from millions of online and offline options.
Asopalav is one store I admire for its enchanting collections and impeccable customer service. Their video shopping facility gave a basic idea about what to expect in-store. And so, I confidently walked into the massive Asopalav outlet in Ahmedabad during a day’s visit to the city.
And then I saw it….
The store had a mannequin wearing a powder blue lehenga filled with sequins and beads. The set has a matching choli and a beautiful net dupatta with embellished flowers on the border. It looked captivating. But more than that, I felt connected to the outfit. All the thoughts racing in my mind about choosing the perfect bridal dress came to a standstill. And the next second, my heart knew – this blue lehenga would be my ceremonial choice.
With the centerpiece of my bridal collection finalized, I quickly moved on to the reception pick, which again was in my favorite palette. For the reception look, I picked a sequinned off-shoulder gown in a deeper shade of teal blue, fitting for the dazzling night-time celebration. The Asopalav gown I chose embodied everything I had hoped for, effortlessly combining the right balance of color and embellishments. Its stunning elegance was a testament to my vision; I couldn’t have asked for more!
My idea of a Sangeet function look was all about sparkling on the dance stage. A white sequinned Asopalav lehenga paired with a ruffled dupatta set the tone for our glamourous musical evening. I enjoyed every moment of matching steps with my man- and the thrill of having all eyes on me- thankfully, my sparkling lehenga made the moment way more magical than I expected.
While there are plenty of stores and designers offering wedding wear, I have always had a strong liking for Asopalav. My fondness for this store goes back to my college days in Gujarat when I visited Asopalav often with family and friends to get trendy Indian wear for various occasions. And when it came to my Big Day, my favorite store exceeded my expectations in every way!
Among the several dresses I bought for my functions and as wedding gifts, my Sagai ritual outfit was yet another highlight. I still rejoice at the memory and pictures of my energetic twirling moments in the lehenga, a pista green composition striking the perfect balance between traditional aesthetics and my desire for an exquisitely classic look. Its harmonious blend with the occasion made it an ideal choice, accentuating my overall appearance flawlessly.
Walking Down the Memory Lane…
From playing couple-friendly games to performing a breathtaking sundowner varmala ritual with a magnificent flower shower, my wedding festivities were a mix of aesthetic and surreal moments wrapped with emotions – the shift into a new phase that unfolds the beauty of life for us each day.
Even today, as I look back to my recent wedding ceremonies, my heart skips a beat. Maybe it is the power of the divine, residing in the intricacies of this sacred beginning now preserved as snapshots of love & happiness- that makes it so treasured.